Apparatus for mounting a lid on a container

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for mounting a lid on a container wherein the lid has a central portion and a pair of end flaps and a pair of side flaps foldably connected to the central portion of the lid.

United States Patent Royal July 29, 1975 APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A LID ONA 3,327,452 6/1967 Cranston et al. 53/218 3,530,637 9/1970 Rezner et a1CONTAINER 3,634,995 1/1972 Curtis 53/287 X [75] Inventor: Thomas B.Royal, Homestead, Fla.

73 A l t t' l P C N l Sslgnee iz f aper ompany ew PrimaryExaminer-Travis S. McGehee Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alfred L. Michaelsen[22] Filed: Jan. 9, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 432,047

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 53/287; 53/218; 93/55.] P [51] ll?- A methodand apparatus for mounting a on a con- Field of Search 47, 287, 289,tainer wherein the lid has a central portion and a pair 53/3 P of endflaps and a pair of side flaps foldably connected to the central portionof the lid. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 10Drawing Figures 2,584,925 2/l952 Rideout 53/287 PATENTEB JUL29 IQYSPATENTEI] JUL 2 9 I975 SHEET ,1 APPARATUS FORMOUNIING A LID ON ACONTAINER BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION Many commodities are packaged incontainers, for

example corrugated paperboard boxes, wherein the top of the box isformed by flaps which are foldably connected to the sides of the box.I-lowever, when packaging certain commodities, it is desirable to usetops or thereto and wherein the length of the flaps is equal to,

the height offthe box. Such box-lid combinations are known to thepackaging art and are often employed where it is desired to obtain a boxorv container which has increased stacking strength. Thus, if a lid isemployed which includes flaps having a length equal to the height of thebox, theflaps on the lid will, when adhesively secured to the sides ofthe box, function'as an additional wall and will thereby provideincreased stacking strength. a

An example of an instance wherein it has been found desirable to useacorrugated paperboard box in combination with a lid having flapsconnected thereto is the packaging of large quantities of meat, forexample 100 to 150 pounds. Although containers ofthe type describedabove have been designed and can be effectively used to package largequantities of meat, a problem is presented with respect to the'mountingof the lid on the box. Thus, if such a box-lid combination is to be auseful, a reasonably automated system is required whereby a separate lidwith flaps can be automatically and quickly mounted on a box whiclfisfilled with meat.

The method and apparatus disclosed; herein provides a solution to thisproblem.

- Additionally,,the. method and apparatus disclosed herein provides asolution ;to a numberof other problems which often'arise when alarge'quantity of relatively heavy material is to be packaged. in a boxof .the type described above. More-specifically, one of the problemswhich often occurs in sucha packaging operation is the'distortio'n. ofthe coittain'erfFor example,

thereof may be bowed outwardly. When such a distortion of the boxoccurs, it is difficult to obtain an acceptable adhesive bond betweenthe entire surface of the flaps and the side walls of the box. Themethod and apparatus disclosedherein also providesa solution to thisproblem. i

2' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION P In accordance withthe preferred embodimentof it he method and apparatus of this inventiomamachine is .tion. Inoperation, a filled container is positioned below the lid supportsection. Mounted above the lid support section is a reciprocablemandrel. Pivotally mounted on opposed sides of the mandrel are squeezerplates. Mounted on top of the mandrel are a pair of double cyl- 1 indersfor actuating the squeezer plates. When operated, a double actingcylinder causes the mandrel to descend=which pushes a lid past the lidsupport section and onto:the top of the box. The mandrel presses down onthe central portion of the lid and thus holds the lid in place on top ofthe box. While the lid is so disposed,

thedouble acting cylinders on the mandrel are actuated causing thesqueezer plates to move into parallel relation. Thus, the end flaps onthe lid, which have an adhesive disposed on the under side thereof, aresecured to they end panels of the box.

' Thereafter, after the mandrel has been withdrawn, the box may be movedhorizontally. During such horizontal movement, the box is subjected to afirst transverse compression wherein any outward bulging of the box isremoved. Adhesive is then deposited on the side flaps and the side flapsare folded down adjacent to the side walls of the box. The side flapsand the box are subjected to a second transverse compression.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I FIGS. 1-3 are perspective drawings showingthe steps performed to mount a lid on an open top box.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a machine constructed in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along the section line 5-5 ofFIG. 1.

line 8--8 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken along the section line 9--9 ofFIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along the providedwherein a box lid having sideflaps and end flaps may be automaticallymour ited on are secured to a filled, open top box. '-lh e machinepreferably includes a section for storing a quantity offsuch lids and meansfor sequentially feeding such a lid' supp o flsec section line 10-10 ofFIG. 4.

; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1-3 suggest the generaloperations performed by the machine disclosed herein. Thus, in FIG. 1,there is shown a box or container 15 which is a filled, open top boxpreferably made of corrugated paperboard. Disposed on top of the box 15is a lid 16 which has a central portion. l7, end flaps 18 and 19foldably con- Y nected thereto and a pair of side flaps 20, 21 which arethe side flaps 20 and 21 may be folded downwardly as suggested in FIG.2. Similarly, the side flaps 20 and 21 are folded downwardly into faceabutting relation with the side walls of the box 15 and held orcompressed against the side walls until an adhesive bond is secured thusproviding the box construction shown in FIG. 3.

. As may be noted from a consideration of FIG. 3, the

side flaps of the lid 16 are the same height as the height of thecontainer 15. As such, if the side flaps 'are bonded to the side wallsof the container across their entire surface, the side flaps essentiallyprovide a second wall which, in turn, provides substantial stackingstrength. Additionally, since the side flaps are integral with andfoldably connected to the central portion 17, they help to resist theoutward forces imposed upon the box by the material packaged therein andthus assist in maintaining the container in an upright configuration,i.e., the side flaps together with the central portion 17 tend toprevent the container side walls from being bowed outwardly.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown therein a top view of a machineconstructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of theinstant'invention and generally referred to in FIG. 4 by the referencenumber 25. The machine includes a plurality of upright and horizontalmembers generally designated by the reference number and, incombination, constituting a frame. In general, themachine 25 shown inFIG. 4 includes three sections, namely, a lid supply and feeding section31, a forming section 32 and a compression or second forming section 33.

The lid supply and feeding section 31 is generally comprised of aconventional paperboard blank feeding mechanism. Thus, only a briefdescription thereof will be given since this section will be familiar tothose skilled in the art.

Attached to the horizontal frame members 30, which are preferably angleiron members, are horizontally disposed support plates 35. A quantity oflid blanks 16 are vertically stacked at the right hand end of the lidsupply section 31. The blanks are supported by disposing end flaps l8and 19 upon the horizontal support members 35. Disposed below the planedefined by the horizontal support members 35 is a chain which carries akicker plate 41 and is driven by a motor 42. Additionally, below thesupport members 35, there are mounted two vacuum cups 45, 46 connectedto a vacuum source 47.

When it is desired to feed a lid to the forming section 32, the motor 42and the vacuum cups 45, 46 are actuated. Thereby, the lowermost lid inthe stack is drawn downwardly and, as the chain moves, the kicker 41engages the right hand edge of the lowermost lid and moves it to theleft, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, a blank is fed from the lid storagesection 31 to the forming section 42 and comes to rest in the formingsection 42 where, as shown in FIG. 4, the left hand edge of the sideflap 20 abuts the longitudinal frame member 30a. Preferably, the lidstorage section 31 includes glue guns 50, 51 disposed as shown in FIG. 4so as to deposit a quantity of adhesive material, e.g. a hot melt glue,upon the under side of the flaps 18, 19 as the lid is fed to the formingsection 32. The glue guns 50, 51, may be actuated by anyconventionalmeans, for example a switch or photocell which detects the movement ofthe end flaps of a lid past the glue guns.

Considering FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that the forming sectionof the machine 25 includes a reciprocatingly mounted mandrel plate 60.To provide the desired reciprocating action, an overhead cross member 61is mounted on the frame of the machine as shown in FIG. 4. Mounted onthe overhead cross member 61 is a double acting piston and cylinder 62.As may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the piston 62a is affixed, at its isfixedly attached to the top of the plate 60 as at 75.

Similarly, the endof the piston 72 is fixedly attached tc the top of theplate 60 as at 76. The pistons 71, 73 are fixedly attached to collars80, 81, respectively, which are mounted on the shafts 69, 68respectively. Thus, when the double acting cylinders 70, 72 areactuated, the shafts 69 and 68 will rotate through a predeterminedangle.

Also mounted on the shafts 68,69 are collars 84, and 86, 87respectively. A pair of squeezer plates 90, 91 are connected to thecollars 86, 87 and 84, 85 by arms 92, 93 and 94, 95, respectively.

Considering particularly FIG. 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that abox or container 15 has been positioned beneath the mandrel 60 and isdisposed upon a conveyor 100. The conveyor belt is trained over rollers101, 102 which are driven by a motor which is not shown in the drawings.A support plate 103 is disposed beneath the top of the conveyor belt 100and is affixed to the frame 30 of the machine. When the machine 25 isstarted, the conveyor 100 will be activated and will continue to rununtil a filled container is fed to the conveyor. When a container isintroduced onto the conveyor 100 it will be moved into the formingsection 32. The longitudinally disposed guide bars 89, 99 insure thatthe container is transversely aligned on the conveyor. The conveyor 100will continue to operate until the container is positioned beneath themandrel 60. To detect that the filled containeris in the desiredlongitudinal position beneath the mandrel, a container positiondetector, such as photocell 101 in FIG. 6, may be employed to generate asignal and stop the conveyor. In the'event that the inertia of thecontainer causes it to move beyond the desired longitudinal location,rotatablymounted arms, .shown in section at I06 and 107 in.FIG. 6, maybe provided'on the frame of'the machine and which, in response to thesignal from the container position detector 101, rotate so as to abutthe end walls of the container and thus positively insure thelongitudinal position of the container on the conveyor. Also in responseto the signal from the container position detector 101, a lid blank maybe fed from the lid supply section 31 by actuating the motor 42 and thevacuum cups 45, 46. I

Considering now the operation of the forming section 32 of the machine25, the sequence of operations will commence after a lid blank 16 hasbeen fed to the forming section and is supported below the mandrel 60 asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and a filled, open top box or container 15 hasbeen positioned thereunder. Thus, referring specifically to FIG. 6, thedouble acting piston and cylinder 62 is actuated, for example, inresponse to the delivery of the lid blank, causing the mandrel 60 tomove downward and bear against the central portion 17 of the lid 16 andthus pushing the lid 16 downwardly past the support members 39. Thus,the central portion I! of the lid 16 is disposed upon the top of thecontainer 15 and is maintained in position by the downward force of themandrel 60 bearing against the central portion 17. While the lid 16 isthus held in position, the double acting pistons 70, 72 are actuatedwith the result that the squeezer plates 90, 91 are moved into parallelopposing relation and, in the process thereof, bend the end flaps 19,downwardly and into face abutting relation with the end walls of thecontainer 15. Recalling that an adhesive had previously been depositedupon the under side of the end flaps 19, 20, it will be appreciated thatthis movement of the squeezer plates 90, 91 secures the end flaps 19, 20to the end walls of the container 15. Referring to FIG. 7, thisconfiguration of the container 15, the squeezer plates 90, 91 and theend flaps 19, 20 will be seen. After maintaining the squeezer plates 90,91 in the position shown in FIG. 7 for a period of time sufficient toinsure a secure adhesive bond, the double acting cylinders 70, 72 arereverse actuated and thereby return the squeezer plates 90, 91 to theposition shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the piston and cylinder 62 arereverse actuated and the mandrel plate 60 is reciprocated upwardlyleaving the container 15 in a condition wherein the lid 16 is mounted onthe container 15 by the end flaps 19, 20. At this point in the process,it will be appreciated that the side flaps 20, 21 are horizontallydisposed.

After the sequence of steps described above, the conveyor belt 100commences to move and thus delivers the box 15, with the lid 16 thereonto the conveyor belt 110. Preferably, the conveyor belt 110 iscontinuously operated whereas the conveyor belt 100 is discontinuouslyoperated, i.e., with respect to the conveyor belt 100, when a box isdelivered to the machine the conveyor belt 100 is actuated so as toposition the box 15 below the mandrel 60 whereupon the conveyor belt 100stops. After the forming sequence described above, the conveyor belt 100is again actuated to deliver the box 15 to the continuously runningconveyor belt 110.

Referring again to FIG. 4 and particularly to the compression section 33of the machine 25, it will be seen that immediately downstream of theforming section 32, there are provided a plurality of verticallydisposed, longitudinally aligned rollers 115. Additionally, referring toboth FIGS. 4 and 7, it will be seen that two pairs of rods 116, 118 and119, 120 are fixed to the frame 30 and are horizontally disposedoutwardly of the rollers 115. I

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 8, it will be seen that downstream of therollers 115, which define a first transverse compression section, therods 116, 118 and 119,- 120 are arcuately disposed so as to curveinwardly and downwardly such that at the end of the rods, i.e., adjacentto the roller 125, the bottom rod of each pair is somewhat inwardlydisposed with respect to its respective top rod and each of the pair ofrods, as shown in FIG. 8, is disposed adjacent to the conveyor belt 110. As previously indicated and as shown in FIG. 8, a hold down roll 125is rotatably mounted on the frame of the machine as shown in FIG. 8.

Referring again to FIG. 4, it will be seen that downstream of the holddown roll 125 there is provided a second configuration of rollers,namely rollers 130 which are disposed similar to the configuration ofthe rollers 115 and provide a second transverse compression zone. Theconveyor belt 110, as shown in FIG. 4, extends throughout the length ofthe compression section 33 so as to move a container through the firstand second compression sections defined above.

The following comments will describe the operation of the compressionsection 33 of the machine 25. Referring to FIG. 7, after the squeezerplates 90, 91 have been retracted and the mandrel 60 has been withdrawnabove the level of the support shelves 39, the conveyor is activated todeliver the container 15 to the compression section, i.e., onto the topof the continuously moving conveyor 110. A close inspection of FIG. 7will reveal that the vertically aligned rods 119, 120 define a spacetherebetween which is longitudinally aligned with the horizontallyextending side flaps of the lid 16 on the box 15. Thus, as the box 15moves into the compression section, the side flaps are maintained in ahorizontal position by the vertically aligned bars 119, 120 and 116,118. As the box proceeds into the compression section 33, it will beseen from an inspection of FIG. 4 that the vertically disposedcompression rollers will compress the side walls of the box 15. Thus,any deformation of the box which has occurred because of the outwardforces imposed thereon by the contents of the box will be removed. Sucha first or initial compression is particularly significant whenattempting to seal a lid to a box which contains meat. Thus, it has beenfound that large quantities of meat, when packaged in a container, tendto settle over a period of time and thus impose outward forces uponthewalls of the container. However, it has also been found that largequantities of meat in a package display somewhat plastic properties.Thus, although meat may settle in a container and thus push the sidewalls outwardly, it has been found that if the container is thensubjected to a transverse compression, the meat will be slightlycompacted and will maintain this compacted state for a short period oftime. Thus, the function of the vertically aligned rollers 115 is tosubject the side walls of a box 15 to a first transverse compressionwhereby the symmetry of the box is regained through compressing thecontents of the box.

As previously indicated, while the box is passing through the firstcompression stage, the side flaps of the lid are maintained in ahorizontal position by the bars 119, 120, and 116, 118. As the boxexists from the rollers 115, upwardly directed glue guns 150, 151 areprovided on the frame of the machine as shown in FIG. 4. Through the useof appropriate sensing devices, for example photocells or switches, theglue guns 150, 151 may be actuated so as to apply or spray an adhesiveon the under surface of the side flaps as they pass the glue guns asshown in FIG. 9. 7

As the side flaps of the lid pass the glue guns 150, 151 do to movementof the container 15 on the conveyor 1 10, the flaps enter the section ofthe compression section 33 wherein the bars 116, 118 and 119, 120 curveinwardly and downwardly. The purpose of providing this arrangement ofthe bars is to fold or plow down the side flaps 20, 21. Thus, as shownin FIGS. 4 and 9, the side flaps 20, 21 are folded downwardly towardsthe side walls of the box 15. Thereafter, the box passes beneath thehold down roller which subjects the box to a vertical compression andthe box then enters a second transverse compression section which isdefined by the longitudinally aligned, vertically disposed rollers 130.At this point, it will be appreciated that when the box enters thesecond compression section, the side flaps 20, 21 have had glue appliedto their under surface and have been folded downwardly adjacent to theside walls of the container. Thus, as the conveyor belt 110 moves thebox between the rollers 130, the rollers compress the side flaps 20, 21against the side walls of the container as shown in FIG. 10 and thus auniform and secure adhesive bond is obtained between the side flaps 20,21 and the sides of the container 15. Thereafter, referring to P16. 4,the conveyor belt 110 delivers the sealed container to a deliverystation 135. Containers delivered to the station 135 will appear asshown in FIG. 3.

Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has hereinbefore beendescribed, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications may bemade without departing from the scope of my invention. For example, inthe preferred embodiment of my machine as described above, adhesive isdeposited upon the under side of the end flaps when the lid blank is fedto the forming section. Similarly, in the above described machine,adhesive is applied to the under surface of the side flaps duringmovement of the container through the compression section 33. As thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, a number of different, butequivalent, method steps or apparatus elements may be used to providethe necessary adhesive for sealing the flaps of the lid. For example,rather than depositing adhesive on. the under side of the flaps, anadhesive may be applied to the side walls or end walls of the containerat an appropriate location within the machine. Similarly, machineelements other then rollers may be employed to provide the desiredtransverse compression as a container moves through the machine. Thus,it will be understood that the scope of my invention is to be determinedby the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lid, which includesa central portion having opposed side flaps and end flaps foldablyconnected to said central portion, which comprises:

a. a frame;

b. a reciprocable mandrel mounted on said frame;

c. means for reciprocating said mandrel;

d. a pair of squeezer plates pivotally mounted on opposite sides of saidmandrel;

e. means for positioning a container below said mandrel;

f. means for depositing an adhesive so as to be disposed between saidend flaps and the end walls of said container when said lid is mountedon said container;

g. means mounted on said mandrel for moving said squeezer plates intoparallel relation with each other whereby downward movement of saidmandrel holds said lid on said container while said squeezer platescompress the end flaps of said lid against said container;

h. means for laterally moving said container after the end flaps ofsaidlid have been secured thereto; and

i. means for securing said side flaps to said container while saidcontainer is moving laterally.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesive depositing meansdeposits adhesive on the under surface of the end flaps of a lid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesive depositing meansdeposits and adhesive on the outer surface of the end walls of acontainer.

4. An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lid having acentral panel and end flaps and side flaps foldably connected to saidcentral panel, which comprises:

a. a frame;

b. a mandrel reciprocally mounted on said frame for holding the centralpanel of a lid on a filled container positioned under said mandrel;

0. means mounted on said mandrel for compressing 'the end flaps of saidlid against said container while said mandrel is holding said lid;

d. first and second transverse compression sections;

e. means intermediate said first and second transverse compressionsections for folding down said side flaps; and

f. means for moving said container through said first and secondcompression sections after said end flaps have been compressed againstsaid container.

5. The apparatusof claim 4 wherein said end flap compressing meanscomprises:

a.: a pair of downwardly extending squeezer plates pivotally mounted onopposite sides of said mandrel, and

b. means mounted on said mandrel for moving said squeezer plates intoparallel relation with each other.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 which further includes:

a. means mounted on said frame-for supporting a lid above a filledcontainer positioned within said I frame;

b. means for storing a supply of lids; and

c. means for sequentially feeding lids from said storage means to saidsupport means.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said plate moving means comprises apair of double acting pistons and cylinders mountedon the top of saidmandrel, each of said pistons and cylinders being connected to arespective one of said squeezer plates.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for moving said containercomprises a first conveyor belt below said mandrel and a second conveyorbelt extending from the beginning'of'said first transverse compressionsection to the end of said second transverse compression section.

1. An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lid, which includesa central portion having opposed side flaps and end flaps foldablyconnected to said central portion, which comprises: a. a frame; b. areciprocable mandrel mounted on said frame; c. means for reciprocatingsaid mandrel; d. a pair of squeezer plates pivotally mounted on oppositesides of said mandrel; e. means for positioning a container below saidmandrel; f. means for depositing an adhesive so as to be disposedbetween said end flaps and the end walls of said container when said lidis mounted on said container; g. means mounted on said mandrel formoving said squeezer plates into parallel relation with each otherwhereby downward movement of said mandrel holds said lid on saidcontainer while said squeezer plates compress the end flaps of Said lidagainst said container; h. means for laterally moving said containerafter the end flaps of said lid have been secured thereto; and i. meansfor securing said side flaps to said container while said container ismoving laterally.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesivedepositing means deposits adhesive on the under surface of the end flapsof a lid.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesive depositingmeans deposits and adhesive on the outer surface of the end walls of acontainer.
 4. An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lidhaving a central panel and end flaps and side flaps foldably connectedto said central panel, which comprises: a. a frame; b. a mandrelreciprocally mounted on said frame for holding the central panel of alid on a filled container positioned under said mandrel; c. meansmounted on said mandrel for compressing the end flaps of said lidagainst said container while said mandrel is holding said lid; d. firstand second transverse compression sections; e. means intermediate saidfirst and second transverse compression sections for folding down saidside flaps; and f. means for moving said container through said firstand second compression sections after said end flaps have beencompressed against said container.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 whereinsaid end flap compressing means comprises: a. a pair of downwardlyextending squeezer plates pivotally mounted on opposite sides of saidmandrel; and b. means mounted on said mandrel for moving said squeezerplates into parallel relation with each other.
 6. The apparatus of claim5 which further includes: a. means mounted on said frame for supportinga lid above a filled container positioned within said frame; b. meansfor storing a supply of lids; and c. means for sequentially feeding lidsfrom said storage means to said support means.
 7. The apparatus of claim5 wherein said plate moving means comprises a pair of double actingpistons and cylinders mounted on the top of said mandrel, each of saidpistons and cylinders being connected to a respective one of saidsqueezer plates.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means formoving said container comprises a first conveyor belt below said mandreland a second conveyor belt extending from the beginning of said firsttransverse compression section to the end of said second transversecompression section.